I wrote Clear, Concise and Consistent! (below) back in February of 2015 when I added a new boy puppy to my pack and was working hard on training him to be a gentleman as well as a competitor. It’s hard to believe that boy just turned 5 and is a beautiful, well-trained Champion Polish Lowland Sheepdog, busy herding his pack at home—and usually a gentleman. Then a baby sister arrived 3 years later and she earned her Championship at only 11 months of age! Now we welcome the newest bundle of fuzz, energy, and love–baby Kizmet, Kiz, or Kizzy to us. Kiz will be the next Sundancer baby to head to the show world, but for now, she is snoozing under my bed. Life is good!

I come to you today as a humbled psychotherapist and a long-time hobby dog trainer turned Fancier.  What caused this humbling? Meet the newest addition to my household, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Newman! I keep this picture of Newman at 8 weeks handy to remind myself of how I adore this rowdy 30 pounds of fluff, now 4 months old, when he snags another new sweater, runs off with another sock before I can get it on my foot, or he decides we should PLAY! instead of go to sleep for the night…again.

I understand how important early training is and it happens here every day, multiple times a day in mini sessions. Newman is doing remarkably well, especially for such a young boy. The important aspect of training that I forgot was my part, the part where I need to be clear, concise, and consistent in what I expect my puppy to do, and not do. Newman reminds me every day, and with each new lesson how effective my communications are–and aren’t, just like my human kids did. I got and I get frustrated with them all, but I have to own that I am the problem and therefore need to be the solution.

I come to you today as a humbled psychotherapist and a long-time hobby dog trainer turned Fancier.  What caused this humbling? Meet the newest addition to my household, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Newman! I keep this picture of Newman at 8 weeks handy to remind myself of how I adore this rowdy 30 pounds of fluff, now 4 months old, when he snags another new sweater, runs off with another sock before I can get it on my foot, or he decides we should PLAY! instead of go to sleep for the night…again.

I understand how important early training is and it happens here every day, multiple times a day in mini sessions. Newman is doing remarkably well, especially for such a young boy. The important aspect of training that I forgot was my part, the part where I need to be clear, concise and consistent in what I expect my puppy to do, and not do. Newman reminds me every day, and with each new lesson how effective my communications are–and aren’t, just like my human kids did. I got and I get frustrated with them all, but I have to own that I am the problem and therefore need to be the solution.

I am not suggesting that anyone’s young human child is a dog, or that anyone’s puppy is a human. I am saying with certainty that the way we adults communicate with both human and canine kids has a lot in common.  What is the difference between telling a dog “down, down, down, down” while the dog is up and not paying any attention, from telling a child to “brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth, how many times do I have to tell you to brush your teeth!?”

Here is the list I am posting for myself of the basic rules for clear, concise, and consistent communication to youngsters of multiple species. I thought you might want a copy, too.

* Choose your words carefully so that you are communicating what you intend to communicate and make sure body language is consistent with the message you want to deliver. If it is clear my message is not clear, I need to find a better way to say it.

* Less is more. Say what you mean, and say it once. No lectures or long explanations; do it.

* Time out is just as important for adults as it is for youngsters, maybe even more. If you are tired or stressed, you are going to communicate that you are tired or stressed. If you mess up, take a break, forgive yourself, and vow to learn and do better next time.

* Remember to praise good behaviors rather than focus on the negative.  Including a cookie as a reward is really motivating–just ask Newman (and his mom Willow and his sister Bliss and his new annoying baby sister–in height order)!

* Finally, remember the big kids teach the younger kids how to behave–good AND bad. Are the little ones learning the lessons you want them to learn?

Lastly, one more image for your consideration…